ST. LOUIS — According to the National Wood Flooring Assn., today's wood flooring finishes are low in VOCs, making them more environmentally friendly than ever before.

The NWFA says there are a number of different floor coatings available. According to the group, surface finishes are popular for their durability, water resistance and minimal maintenance requirements. Surface finishes are blends of synthetic resins, typically referred to as urethanes or polyurethanes, and are available in high-gloss, semi-gloss, satin and matte finishes.

Wax finishes soak into the pores of the wood and harden to form a protective, penetrating seal. The wax gives a low-gloss satin sheen and is generally maintained with additional thin applications of wax. Only solvent-based waxes, buffing pastes or cleaning liquids made specifically for wax-finished wood floors should be used.

Acrylic impregnated finishes are injected into the wood to create a super-hard, extremely durable floor. Acrylic impregnated finishes rarely are used in residential applications, however. They most often are used in very high traffic areas in commercial settings such as malls and restaurants.

Posted by Karen Koenig